Michigan State cornerback Johnny Adams has been the talk of spring practice.

He was the first pick in the draft for Saturday’s 1:30 p.m. spring game at Spartan Stadium.

Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi said he is having an All-Big Ten, Big Ten defensive player of the year type spring.

And the junior-to-be also made a diving interception last Thursday in a live scrimmage that would have been surprising, except for the fact he has been doing those types of things all spring.

"That’s just Johnny, he has that kind of ability," said backup quarterback Andrew Maxwell in regard to Adams’ interception of a Kirk Cousins pass. "He made a lot of plays last season, and this spring he has been even better. He’s a guy we can count on to be that lockdown corner."

Free safety Trenton Robinson said it’s exciting to be on the field with Adams right now.

"As a safety, you can just be like, 'leave that to Johnny.' You don’t have to worry about getting over on top of Johnny. He’s so good right now off the line and in coverage. You just look over and you know Johnny’s got it on lockdown."

Adams started all 13 games last fall after missing a year with injury, and was an All-Big Ten second-team pick by the coaches. He tied for sixth in the Big Ten Conference in interceptions with three and pass break-ups with seven.

He also had blocked punts in wins against Purdue and Minnesota, and key interceptions against Michigan and Notre Dame to end long drives.

Adams, who is from Akron, Ohio, and started as a true freshman in 2008, has gained a few pounds of muscle (5-foot-11, 180 pounds) and loads of confidence, and is producing better defensive techniques.

"I don’t know what he did in the off-season, but he came back and his technique is sound, he’s shutting down all the receivers," Robinson said. "He’s doing things I haven’t seen a corner do in a while around here."

Adams said he came out with the idea of being more aggressive because he has gained the knowledge of the position and the game has slowed down for him.

"My cover skills are a lot better than last year," he said. "I want to be the total package, a lockdown corner. Be all the things a corner is and more."

Adams said the Spartans plan to stay at the top of the Big Ten after being co-Big Ten champions last fall. In that regard, he said he needs to play stronger this fall.

"I want to help my team, be the best corner I can be, be the best in the Big Ten, and win the (Jim) Thorpe award (top college defensive back)," he said. "I’m shooting for all that, but winning is the thing."

He has heard some of the spring talk by coaches and teammates.

"I want to thank them for talking me up, but I got a lot more work to do," Adams said. "Hard work always pays off."﻿